Kraut-cutter



(No Model.)

W. A. KIRKPATRICK & J; HROBBINS. KRAUT CUTTER.

No. 593,746. 'Patente d Nov. 16,1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT Fries}.

WILLIAM A. KIRKPATRICK AND JOHN E. ROBBINS, or GREENSBURG, INDIANA.

. KRAuT-cLlT-TER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,746, dated November 16, 1897. Application filed November 23, 1896. Serial No. 613,170. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, WILLIAM A. KIRK- and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in kitchen utensils, and has more particular relation to kraut-cutters.

The invention consists of certain novelconstructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a top plan View of the device embodying our invention, the cover of the casing being thrown back to expose the interior. Fig. 2 represents a transverse vertical section through our said improved cutter. Fig. 3

represents an end elevation of our improve-.

ment, taken from the end of the casing supporting the gears. Fig. 4 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of the cuttingknives, and Fig. 5 represents an enlarged de tail perspective view of the spring feedingtube.

A in the drawings represents the casingof our improved kraut-cutter; B, the frame carrying the cutting knives; O, V the balance wheel; D, the main power-shaft, and E the feeding and clamping tube. The said casing A is provided with a lateral partition a, forming a chamber a, in which the balance-wheel C is adapted to rotate. The said power-shaft D, which carries said balance-wheel 0, passes through and is j ournaled in the walls of said chamber a. The rear end of said powershaft is provided with a small spur-gear d, which meshes with a large gear-wheel cl, jou rnaled upon the casing A and provided with an operating-handle d preferablycast integral therewith. The forward end of said shaft D carries the knife-supporting frame 13 which is formed with oppositely-inclined forward and rear faces I) and b, the cutting-knives b being secured upon the forward oppositelyinclined faces by suitable screws or bolts 1). The bottom of the casing A is cut away, as at a to form a dischargeopening for the cut cabbage just below said knives If. The cabbage is guided toward said oppositely-inclined rotating knives b by the feeding and clamping tube E. This tube E comprises a single piece of metal mounted in a simple cylindrical trough F of the casing A and bent to form an expansible feedingcone. The forward rigid open end of said cone is adapted to receive the head of cabbage,while the rear or contracted end of said tube holds the cabbage while the same is being cut, the edges of the material forming said contracted end being lapped over each other, so as to be capable of expansion without destroying the tube.

.The said cone is adapted to automatically close at its contracted end by its inherent spring action, so as to firmly hold the head of cabbage therein at all times. To assist the spring action of said contracted end of the cone, I provide a small coiled spring f, contracted to the outer free end of said contracted end of the cone and adapted to normally diminish the diameter of said contracted end.

It will be observed from the foregoing de scriptionthat the feeding-tube E is capable of accommodating any-sized head of cabbage, and will firmly hold the same under a yielding pressure because of its expansibility. A cabbage is fed forward through said tube E by the pressure of the hand, so that the oppositelyinclined knives b will slice thesame in a uniform manner, the cuttings from said knives dropping down through the aperture 0, into a suitable receptacle placed below the same.

A suitable hinged cover A is secured to the top of the casing A and is of sufficient width to project over the chamber a and the rotary cutters, so as to protect both the balance-wheel and said cutters. When the device is in operation said balance-wheel gives the cutters a uniform movement and prevents all jumping and jerking as the cutting proceeds. The cabbage to be used in this kraut-cutter is preferably left with a portion of the stalk attached to the head, so the said head may be pushed forward by the hand unwe claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. In a kraut-cutter, the combination with a suitable casing, of a rotary knife mounted in the same, means for revolving said knife, and a conical spring feeding-tube comprising a single piece of material bent so that its free edges overlap so that said tube may expand or contract as required, substantially as described.

2. In a kraut-cutter, the combination with a suitable casing, of a rotary knife mounted in the same, gearing for revolving said knife, a conical spring-tube comprising a single piece of material having its free edges overlapped so that said tube may expand or contract as necessary, and a spring connected to one of the free edges of said tube for assisting in holding the same in a contracted condition, substantially as described.

3. I11 a kraut-cutter, the combination with a suitable casin g having a discharge slot formed in its bottom, of a rotary cutter mounted above said slot, gearing for revolving said cutter, a fly-wheel for causing a uniform movement of said cutter, and a conical spring feeding-tube comprising a single piece of material having its free edges overlapped so that said tube may expand or contract as necessary, substantially as described.

4. In a kraut-cutter, the combination with a suitable casing, of a rotary knife mounted in the same, means for revolving said knife, and a conical spring feeding-tube comprising a single piece of material having its edges overlapped, a rivet connecting said overlapping edges at one end, and a spring connected to one of the overlapping edges at the opposite end so as to normally hold this end of the feeder contracted to permit of its expansion when necessary, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

VILLIAM A. KIRKPATRICK. JOHN E. ROBBINS. \Vitnesses:

JOHN 1). WALLINGFORD, JAMES K. EWING. 

